The Atari 8-bit computer
era began in 1979 with the Atari 400 and Atari 800. The 400 model featured a
membrane keyboard, 8k RAM (later releases had 16k RAM) and was the cheaper of
the two computers. The 800 featured a conventional keyboard and 8k RAM, but
was later released with 48k. Games could be purchased as ROM Cartridges, 5.25"
Floppy Disks or on Cassette, the later two options required investment in separate
hardware. Cassette software was the cheapest to purchase, but also the most
frustrating with long loading times, which sometimes exceeded 20mins!

In late 1982, Atari
unveiled the 1200XL. This new style creme and brown model came with 64K RAM
and would be the only Atari 8-Bit machine to feature 4 Function Keys. Unfortunately
incompatibility with some software and a few hardware problems meant the 1200XL
would only last 4 months before being succeeded in the following year with two
new computers. Only NTSC versions of this rare machine can be found today, as
it was only ever released in the USA.

The 600XL and 800XL
were released in 1983 and both featured the brown and creme design of the 1200XL.
The 600XL featured 16k RAM, while the 800XL had 64k RAM. Both models had built-in
BASIC as standard, along with slightly updated chipsets. Updated external hardware,
including the 1010 tape recorder and 1050 disk drive featured the new brown
and creme design of these new computers.

The final Atari 8-bit
computer came just two years later with the release in 1985 of the Atari 65XE
(64k RAM) and 130XE (128k RAM). Each of these stylish grey models were in the
same design as the new 16-bit Atari ST computer, also released in the same year.
The XE line was joined by the Atari XEGS (basically a 65XE designed to look
like a console) in 1987 and were continually manufactured until 1992.

Over the years hundreds
of games software was released for the Atari 8-bit computer range, along with
various hardware including printers, a modem, a touch tablet, a light gun, joysticks
and more!

Today, most Atari
Software and/or Hardware purchases are made from Ebay or other online auction
sites. Another popular way to enjoy the variety of old games software is via
an emulator. This is a piece of software, such as the Atari800Win Plus Emulator
(pic below), which can be run on an ordinary PC and mimics the Atari 8-bit Hardware.
Old software can be transferred via home-made hardware onto the PC, then into
the emulator. Many games have already been converted to emulator readable files
and can found by scouring the internet. Obviously you should already own a copy
of the original game. ;)